Graduate Fashion Week is pleased to announce that British high-street retailer Marks & Spencer will be the joint principle partner of the charity for the third year running, sponsoring the acclaimed Womenswear Award. Offering one lucky winner a work placement of up to 12 months and a £5,000 prize, with the winning university also receiving £1,000. The award will be judged on Wednesday 6th June and announced on the catwalk at the renown Gala Award Show that same evening.
“Graduate Fashion Week offers such a unique and dynamic environment to meet the future talent in fashion design. We are looking forward to this year’s event and know we’ll see some really inspiring creativity”
Queralt Ferrer, Design Director for Womenswear and Lingerie
As a leading clothing retailer that employs over 200 designers across the business, Marks & Spencer recognises the importance of encouraging emerging design talent. As a unique platform showcasing the best of British and international fashion students, the company is passionate about celebrating their creativity, dynamism and energy, meeting as many participants as possible during this the 27th Graduate Fashion Week taking place at The Truman Brewery, 3rd – 6th June 2018!
M&S sponsorship shows their support and commitment to education and new talent within the fashion industry and to help create a pipeline of future designers and skilled workers. During the 2017 event, Marks & Spencer awarded five placements to graduates ranging from 3 to 6 months! The graduates employed post-GFW included Irene D ’Antonio, Edinburgh College of Art- Overall winner of 2017 M&S Womenswear Award, Claire Tagg, UCA Rochester - Runner up of 2017 M&S Womenswear Award, Charley Chiddle, De Montfort University who received a 3 month placement in Lingerie, Halina North, Edinburgh College of Art, GFW17 Gold Award Winner who received a 3 month Womenswear placement and Robin Brook, Leeds University, the recipient of a 3 month placement in the Kidswear department!
As part of the continued partnership, Marks & Spencer will be present during Graduate Fashion Week hosting a branded M&S hub within the sponsorship floor. This interactive space will be set-up for graduates to visit with their portfolios to obtain advice and learn more about the Marks & Spencer Business. It will also showcase last year’s Womenswear Award runner up Claire Tagg’s capsule Christmas collection 2017 for M&S, following her placement last year.
The brand will also be hosting four engaging talk slots within the GFW Talk Live! studio with key industry figures such as Twiggy and plus size influencer Danielle Vanier, as well as established members of the M&S team.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Marks & Spencer again for 2018. They offer fantastic guidance, advice and placement opportunities to our graduates and to have them sponsor our top Womenswear Award is extremely special.”
Martyn Roberts, Creative & Managing Director of Graduate Fashion Week.
GFW is the world’s largest event for BA Fashion talent and will be taking place on the 3rd – 6th June 2018 at The Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, London.